Helen Tamiris

Helen Tamiris (1905 -1966) choreographer, modern dancer, and teacher (also known as Helen Becker).

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1905 - 1966

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A founder of American Modern Dance, Helen Tamiris originally trained in free movement (Irene Lewisohn) and ballet (Michel Fokine). Tamiris studied briefly with Isadora Duncan but disliked Duncan's emphasis on personal expression and lyrical movement. Tamiris believed that each dance must create its own expressive means and as such did not develop an individual style or technique. She is probably best known for her suite of dances called Negro Spirituals which was created between 1928 and 1941. Tamiris was one of the first choreographers to use jazz and spiritual music to explore social themes via dance. As a choreographer Tamiris made works based on American themes working in concert dance and musical theatre ( Annie Get Your Gun (1946), Touch and Go (1949), Plain and Fancy (1955)). She won a Tony Award in 1949 for her choreography of Touch and Go.

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Modern Dance - Michel Fokine - Isadora Duncan - 1928 - 1941 - Annie Get Your Gun - 1946 - 1949 - 1955 - Tony Award

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In 1960, with husband Daniel Nagrin, Tamiris formed the Tamiris-Nagrin Dance Company.

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1960 - Daniel Nagrin

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